Things are a changing in the NCAA division 1 landscape. NIL rights, conference realignment, and a ****** WMU logo all come to mind. Not much to think about so I will try something else. I will predict the emu football season. I am not as high on this team as others because I believe we lack play makers on the offensive side of the ball.
Week 1
St Francis of Assisi. 1-0
Eagles should smash the red flashes. If it is like the CCCSU game a few years ago look out. expect a big crowd if allowed.
Week 2 @ Wisconsin 1-1
We will hang around lose 28-10.
Week 3 @UMASS 2-1
A game we Should win. I think its a toss up and we win on field goal.
24-23
Week 4 Texas State 2-2
I can't believe their nickname is NOT the Armadillos. Look for the Bobcats to come up here and steal one.
Texas State 28 EMU 17
Week 5 @ NIU 3-2
NIU still in rebuild mode, or good bye eyes to another conference. An angry flock of eagles wins.
EMU 35 NIU 23
Week 6 Miami Ohio 3-3
330 game, nice weather early october = big crowd (if allowed)
The huron curse rears its ugly head and emu coughs up a winnable game
Miami OH 24 EMU 20
Week 7 Ball State 3-4
EMU races out to a 14-0 lead only to lose on a late 51 yard field goal off a defensive tackle's hand aided by a huge gust of wind.. Seems like we always have weird events vs Ball State and this game is no different.
Balls State 19 EMU 17
Week 8 @ Bowling Green State 4-4
short road trip vs the one time coaching prodigy. EMU Cruises to victory and cruises home up 23.
EMU 41 BGSU 17
Week 9 @ Toledo 4-5
Jason Candle is on the hot seat. Another short road trip to the Glass Bowl.. Another controversial lost for the Eagles
Toledo 56 EMU 50
Week 10 Ohio 5-5
New coach. not same Ohio, EMU Wins
EMU 25 Ohio 10
Week 11 WMU 6-5
Creighton has Lester's number the last few years and I think this continues. EMU wins on a cold blustry day in ypsilanti
EMU 31 WMU 20
Week 12 @ CMU
EMU travels north to not a mountain or not a pleasant but with a nice empty end zone lounge as people opt to avoid the snow storm. CMU defense smothers the EMU offense.
CMU 16
EMU 10
Final overall 6-6
I think it will be another year of almosts for the eagles.
Ugh. This sums up Eagle fandom so well (see also Cleveland fandom). I hope you are wrong, 30% of me agrees with you.
I'm home after 3 days in Detroit, Ypsilanti, etc. Visited EMU. Passed by Powell's Pub but didn't stop in.
Couple of tidbits for the board and since I flew home, my 'view from 30,000 feet.'
EMU Athletics is doing VERY well on paying down on the SAPC. The amount they owe is much less than I would have guessed. I don't consider the debt owed a problem.
Everyone from here, the main board, the MAC stadium You Tube video (I posted it on the main board) talks about "The Track." Just remember that the track, football field, etc. are showing their age. In the years ahead Scott and EMU will need to make their decision as to color of the field, color of the track (I offer my free advice) or even removing the track as everyone here seems to want.
Patience is the word here. Which way will EMU go? "We'll know when we know..."
So EMU athletics need to address various facility maintenance issues. These are done on timelines based on expected useful life.
BTW, I had NOT been to Rynearson since the SAPC was complete. The video board looks bigger in person than on TV. I was to attend practice today and sit in the stands so I would have seen the video board the way the fans do.
Dear steve,
It took them a year to come up with golf? That should have been a fifteen minute decision.
O/T, but EMU related.
I've seen Heather's name mentioned as a possible candidate for the MSU AD job.
(08-07-2021 09:31 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]O/T, but EMU related.
I've seen Heather's name mentioned as a possible candidate for the MSU AD job.
She is mentioned but also in the running is the NIU AD Sean Frazier Allan Haller internal candidate, Martin Jarmond UCLA Doug Knuth Nevada Dave Heeke Arizona Wren Baker North Texas John David Wicker Sand Diego St Pat Chun Washington and Tom Izzo.
(08-08-2021 07:36 AM)emu79 Wrote: [ -> ] (08-07-2021 09:31 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]O/T, but EMU related.
I've seen Heather's name mentioned as a possible candidate for the MSU AD job.
She is mentioned but also in the running is the NIU aD Sean Frazier Allan Haller internal candidate, Martin Jarmond UCLA Doug Knuth Nevada Dave Heeke Arizona Wren Baker North Texas John David Wicker Sand Diego St Pat Chun Washington and Tom Izzo.
I saw that. Some papers had a list longer than my arm.
Which brings me to our current AD. Two major goals for Scott I believe were fund raising and overseeing facility improvements like the SPAC. I'm not privy to all the workings but I believe the Game Above has funded several areas. I would call that solid progress. Getting the SPAC paid off would allow us to move what was a phase II or III I can't remember dealing with a remodeling of the football stadium and different track configurations. Losing the guarantees from 2020 was a major blow. In order to keep the momentum going you need success on the field and on the court. Castro needs a break through season but women's basketball is not a major revenue sport. Chris Creighton's contract ends I believe in 2022. Chris Creighton has been the face of EMU sports and changing its perception and honestly probably the reason more than a few EMU alums have opened their checkbooks. To do the things we need to do football's program needs to continue. Will it be with Chris Creighton or not? I don't know. Stan Heath I think we can agree was a solid hire by Scott. Unlike many here I don't see a one year turnaround this coming season. Stan and his staff are solid basketball people and I think the 2022 recruiting class will be key for him. I also think Stan at least in the 2021 class took a longer view than some of his instant transfer turnarounds MAC coaches. Hopefully men's basketball revenues increase. Lots of challenges ahead for EMU athletics. I am beginning to warm up to Scott's handling of his job.
(08-08-2021 08:28 AM)emu79 Wrote: [ -> ]Which brings me to our current AD. Two major goals for Scott I believe were fund raising and overseeing facility improvements like the SPAC. I'm not privy to all the workings but I believe the Game Above has funded several areas. I would call that solid progress. Getting the SPAC paid off would allow us to move what was a phase II or III I can't remember dealing with a remodeling of the football stadium and different track configurations. Losing the guarantees from 2020 was a major blow. In order to keep the momentum going you need success on the field and on the court. Castro needs a break through season but women's basketball is not a major revenue sport. Chris Creighton's contract ends I believe in 2022. Chris Creighton has been the face of EMU sports and changing its perception and honestly probably the reason more than a few EMU alums have opened their checkbooks. To do the things we need to do football's program needs to continue. Will it be with Chris Creighton or not? I don't know. Stan Heath I think we can agree was a solid hire by Scott. Unlike many here I don't see a one year turnaround this coming season. Stan and his staff are solid basketball people and I think the 2022 recruiting class will be key for him. I also think Stan at least in the 2021 class took a longer view than some of his instant transfer turnarounds MAC coaches. Hopefully men's basketball revenues increase. Lots of challenges ahead for EMU athletics. I am beginning to warm up to Scott's handling of his job.
GameAbove has contributed less to SAPC than many think. Fund raising has been better than most think. EMU Athletics should be proud of the job they've done.
I'll be honest I've never asked about how long EMU Athletics has to pony up their promised funds to pay off the SAPC. I believe it has been reported that EMU athletics is responsible for 12M and the university the rest. Remember that the SAPC was part of a bond issue. The EMU athletics payments might be tied to the maturity of the bond issue. I don't know.
I assume the next big item is the field in Rynearson which includes the track unless it is re-located.
I do NOT know (and haven't asked) if the U will pay for new turf. My recollection, maybe faulty, is that the football field is a maintenance expense of EMU athletics. I've followed two re-do (from AstroTurf to FieldTurf and then the gray FieldTurf).
This is different than the new lights which we got during Heather's tenure (she told me that lights are a U. maintenance item).
I assume that the football field and decision on the track is the next biggie for Scott. When will it be made? I have no idea.
Then maybe a new press box. The cost of a new press box will be 8-figures. UMass spent I believe 10 -12M a number of years ago. It might cost 15 - 20M today.
As far as coaches, I'm very happy with our revenue sports coaches. Creighton is a G5 gem and Heath could be a rising star in D-I MBB. Castro has his program headed up.
(08-09-2021 10:49 AM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (08-09-2021 09:52 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]In Kentucky, Mr. Football prepares for a fifth year of high school thanks to ‘re-do’ bill
By Michael Errigo
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...-football/
This is behind a paywall - can you elaborate?
"Kentucky Senate Bill 128 offers students, kindergarten through 12th grade, a chance to take part in a supplemental school year. Each school district in Kentucky could individually decide whether to offer this option to its students, based on capacity and other factors. "
Who will utilize it the most? Athletes?
I have two years of h.s. eligibility left. Well, I'm decades late for that... I could use the physical conditioning though.
(08-09-2021 11:03 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (08-09-2021 10:49 AM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (08-09-2021 09:52 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]In Kentucky, Mr. Football prepares for a fifth year of high school thanks to ‘re-do’ bill
By Michael Errigo
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...-football/
This is behind a paywall - can you elaborate?
"Kentucky Senate Bill 128 offers students, kindergarten through 12th grade, a chance to take part in a supplemental school year. Each school district in Kentucky could individually decide whether to offer this option to its students, based on capacity and other factors. "
Who will utilize it the most? Athletes?
I have two years of h.s. eligibility left. Well, I'm decades late for that... I could use the physical conditioning though.
Is that different than players (such as Larry Fitzgerald - for example) that attend a 5th year of high school at a prep school before college?
(08-09-2021 11:28 AM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (08-09-2021 11:03 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (08-09-2021 10:49 AM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (08-09-2021 09:52 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]In Kentucky, Mr. Football prepares for a fifth year of high school thanks to ‘re-do’ bill
By Michael Errigo
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...-football/
This is behind a paywall - can you elaborate?
"Kentucky Senate Bill 128 offers students, kindergarten through 12th grade, a chance to take part in a supplemental school year. Each school district in Kentucky could individually decide whether to offer this option to its students, based on capacity and other factors. "
Who will utilize it the most? Athletes?
I have two years of h.s. eligibility left. Well, I'm decades late for that... I could use the physical conditioning though.
Is that different than players (such as Larry Fitzgerald - for example) that attend a 5th year of high school at a prep school before college?
Parents in Texas High Schools have been holding their kids back a year for decades in an effort to make their team more competitive and improve their kid's chances for a scholarship.
I'm not a rabid fan of such practice but it is hardly new.
(08-09-2021 12:17 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote: [ -> ] (08-09-2021 11:28 AM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (08-09-2021 11:03 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (08-09-2021 10:49 AM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (08-09-2021 09:52 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]In Kentucky, Mr. Football prepares for a fifth year of high school thanks to ‘re-do’ bill
By Michael Errigo
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...-football/
This is behind a paywall - can you elaborate?
"Kentucky Senate Bill 128 offers students, kindergarten through 12th grade, a chance to take part in a supplemental school year. Each school district in Kentucky could individually decide whether to offer this option to its students, based on capacity and other factors. "
Who will utilize it the most? Athletes?
I have two years of h.s. eligibility left. Well, I'm decades late for that... I could use the physical conditioning though.
Is that different than players (such as Larry Fitzgerald - for example) that attend a 5th year of high school at a prep school before college?
Parents in Texas High Schools have been holding their kids back a year for decades in an effort to make their team more competitive and improve their kid's chances for a scholarship.
I'm not a rabid fan of such practice but it is hardly new.
Cuing line about Texas from Full Metal Jacket.
(08-09-2021 12:17 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote: [ -> ] (08-09-2021 11:28 AM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (08-09-2021 11:03 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (08-09-2021 10:49 AM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (08-09-2021 09:52 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]In Kentucky, Mr. Football prepares for a fifth year of high school thanks to ‘re-do’ bill
By Michael Errigo
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...-football/
This is behind a paywall - can you elaborate?
"Kentucky Senate Bill 128 offers students, kindergarten through 12th grade, a chance to take part in a supplemental school year. Each school district in Kentucky could individually decide whether to offer this option to its students, based on capacity and other factors. "
Who will utilize it the most? Athletes?
I have two years of h.s. eligibility left. Well, I'm decades late for that... I could use the physical conditioning though.
Is that different than players (such as Larry Fitzgerald - for example) that attend a 5th year of high school at a prep school before college?
Parents in Texas High Schools have been holding their kids back a year for decades in an effort to make their team more competitive and improve their kid's chances for a scholarship.
I'm not a rabid fan of such practice but it is hardly new.
A kid from Texas just LEFT school a year early so he can pursue NIL money at THE Ohio State University.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...ohio-state
(08-09-2021 04:04 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]Bacardi Alexander has replaced LaMonte Stone at River Rouge.
https://twitter.com/TonyPaul1984/status/...83658?s=20
I'm not complaining but when Milt Barnes is at Jackson HS, Ramsey in Ypsilanti and now Alexander is at Rouge, I wonder what are their motivations for doing so. I don't think HS basketball coaches make much money, but perhaps I am mistaken. They ALL possess talent but probably are not head coaches at the college level, they were at before.
What are you guys thinking?